Care for yourself and others when flu symptoms hit Published Nov. 24, 2009 By Nancy Driscoll 452 AMW Public Health Office MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- If you are sick · Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick. Do not go to work or school while ill · Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine) · Get plenty of rest: this helps your body fight viral infections · Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, diluted sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to prevent dehydration · Cover coughs and sneezes. Wash hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rubs (keep at your bedside for ready access) · When sharing common spaces with other household members, keep at least six feet away to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza · Be watchful for emergency warning signs that might indicate you need to seek medical attention When providing care to others · Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible especially others who are at high risk for complications from influenza · Remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water often · Keeping an alcohol-based hand rub readily available for their use, especially after coughing and/or sneezing, will increase the likelihood of frequent hand cleaning · Have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Children may need reminders or help keeping their hands clean · Ask your health care provider if household contacts--particularly those who may be pregnant or have chronic health conditions--should take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent the flu · If you are in a high risk group for complications from influenza, you should attempt to avoid close contact (within six feet) with household members who are sick with influenza · If close contact with a sick individual is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask if available and tolerable. Infants should not be cared for by sick family members Cleaning, laundry and waste disposal procedures with illness in the household · Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste · Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label · Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but--importantly--these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first · Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid "hugging" laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water right after handling dirty laundry. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub · Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with hot water and soap Seek emergency care when you or someone you're caring for: · has difficulty breathing or chest pain · has purple or blue discoloration of the lips · is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down · has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry · has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) · is less responsive than normal or becomes confused